How can I determine the age of my furnace?

Posted March 28, 2019

When you move into a new residence, there is a lot to take in and think about as you get settled in. You’re figuring out all of the new appliances and different spaces. For some homeowners, it also means seeing what upgrades or updates need to be made later on. It may not always be top of mind, but your heating and cooling system needs to be on the list of potential to-dos. It plays a critical role in home comfort, so learning a little bit more about your system is very beneficial.

As long as they are operating without challenges, we don’t pay a lot of thought to our furnaces. But as soon as it goes out, or causes problems, we definitely notice. That’s why it’s a great idea to find out how old your furnace is. Then you have an understanding of what you might deal with later on. And this doesn’t just pertain to homeowners moving into a new space. Anyone who isn’t sure how old their furnace is should take time and figure it out.

How can you establish how old your furnace is?

Your furnace should have a sticker located somewhere on the exterior or interior paneling. If you don’t see a sticker with the model and serial number on the outside, find where the paneling opens up and see if it’s located inside that door.

Write down—or take a photo of—the serial number to keep for your records. Then visit the manufacturer’s website or search for guides on how to identify the manufacturing date. You may try searching for “find manufacturing date of YOUR BRAND furnace.” The serial number usually provides insight into the age of your system, but it does vary among brands. For example, for some brands, the first four numbers mean the year and month it was manufactured. In the photo below, the serial number indicates this particular system was made in July 2015.

If you are still having problems, you can reach out to the manufacturer directly, or contact Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning for assistance.

Why is the age of your furnace significant?

Sometimes, when you’ve had a furnace about 15 years, it’s time to start shopping for a replacement system to help increase efficiency and overall operations. Newer models tend to have higher energy efficiency ratings and you’ll definitely benefit from the advancements in technology over the recent years.

You don’t have to rely on just the age of your furance, there are other signs that indicate it might be time to look for a new furnace. A handful of these signs include:

Increase in energy costs without major adjustments to the thermostat.

More frequent and costly repairs to fix the furnace.

Decrease in home comfort levels—you never seem to feel warm enough.

If you have concerns about whether it’s time for a furnace replacement, or if you want one of the most experienced technicians in Bishop to give you some guidance, we’re here for you. You can reach us at 760-784-9034 or arrange an appointment with us online.

Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning offers dependable, quality service to homeowners in the Bishop community. Our experienced technicians are well-trained and knowledgeable on all HVAC products, so you’ll be confident knowing you can trust us. The team at Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning adheres to high standards and are devoted to offering the best customer service, whether you’re searching for a new HVAC system or need maintenance on your current system. If you have questions or need support for your HVAC system, you can reach us at 760-784-9034 or schedule an appointment online to get started on your home comfort needs!